Liverpool, meanwhile, have agreed a deal to bring Paris St Germain full-back Chris Mavinga to the club on a three-year contract. The youngster is a French Under-18 international and has been snapped up from under the nose of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who was keen to take Mavinga to the Emirates.
Liverpool will have to pay PSG a compensation fee for the 18-year-old who was yet to sign a full contract with the French club.
Mavinga’s recruitment is timely with Fabio Aurelio set to miss the start of the season with a knee injury and Andrea Dossena likely to leave Anfield should Liverpool receive a suitable offer for his services.
Emiliano Insua underlined his promise last season but Benitez will be happy the young Argentina wstar ill face competition for his place when the new season gets under way.
With Glen Johnson already signed from Portsmouth in a club record deal for a defender, the Reds boss has clearly earmarked Liverpool’s full-back positions as areas which can be improved.
Johnson took part in his first day of training yesterday as he and fellow England star Steven Gerrard joined in with their team-mates at Melwood.
Benitez gave the England duo an extra few days holiday due to international commitments recently.
